City boss Pellegrini has no regrets about starting Kompany at Anfield

Manchester City defender Vincent Kompnay reacts to conceding a goal at Anfield.

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini insists he has no regrets about starting Vincent Kompany at Liverpool on Sunday.

Heading into a potentially decisive clash in the race for the Premier League title, City skipper Kompany had been nursing a knee problem picked up in training.

He was, however, thrust into action at Anfield as the Blues suffered a damaging 3-2 defeat.

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The finger of blame could be pointed in Kompany’s direction for all three of Liverpool’s goals, with the Belgian center-half allowing his usually impeccable standards to slip.

Pellegrini, though, claims he made the right call for the good of the collective cause, with his captain fit enough to lead City into battle on Merseyside.

He said: "He started the game because he is the captain.

"He made all the proof before the game, he said he was okay and the doctor said that, so I don’t regret that.

"But I don’t like to analyze individual performances with the media.

"I talk with the players and when we win or lose, it is the responsibility of the whole team."

Kompany will get the opportunity to make amends when City return to action at home to Sunderland on Wednesday.

Top marksman Sergio Aguero is also pushing for a starting berth, having made his return from a five-match absence off the bench at Anfield, but talismanic midfielder Yaya Toure is expected to be sidelined for up to two weeks with a leg injury.

Pellegrini added on the fitness challenges he has faced this season: "We have played the whole season with a lot of injuries.

"Now we have Yaya – we’ve had Kompany, Aguero, (Samir) Nasri.

"We were the only team that continued in the four competitions because we had an important squad and a lot of those players played well.

"He’s (Toure) an important player, one of the most important we have in our team.

"But we have a squad and must replace him in this moment. I am sure we are going to do it with no problem."